Wecome to our woodland

Public Access

We pride ourselves on the public access provision across the Estate. It was Gerald Palmer’s wish to enable access to the majority of the Estate’s woodlands and we maintain permissable access to around 1,000 acres of woodland for local communities to enjoy on foot.

In addition, the Estate is crossed by a network of public rights of way which we work to keep accessible for all and employ a Ranger to keep these in good condition as far as we can.

The Eling Way multi-use path follows the route of the old Southampton to Didcot railway and stretches across the Estate’s land over 3km between Hampstead Norreys and Hermitage. Access is for walkers, cyclists and equestrians.

The Estate is creating a network of surfaced, accessible permissive paths which link the Eling Way, public rights of way and the villages; enabling access for leisure or transport between places, avoiding roads.

The network of trails will be available to walkers and cyclists with some improved provision for horse riders.  The aim is to provide better, all weather access with particular benefit to those with mobility assistance or for pushchairs.

The new routes are focussed around Fence Wood and Pheasants Hill wood at the southern end of the Estate, but our ambition is to expand these wider across the Estate.